Wireless Carriers Ramp Up Competitiveness Rhetoric

Wireless carrier trade group CTIA claims it welcomes the FCC inquiry into the competitiveness and innovation of the industry and even admits it might have brought on the probe itself after years of consumer complaints over everything from jamming to early termination fees. However, as CTIA sees it, no further regulation is needed, particularly regarding network neutrality.

The inquiry reflects a likely change in direction for the FCC, which has spent
the last eight years promoting a hands-off, no-regulation agenda for the
wireless industry. New Chairman Julius Genachowski, though, has pledged to pursue
a "pro-consumer" agenda with open networks and network neutrality
principles guiding the agency.

For some, the FCC inquiry foreshadows more regulation for wireless carriers. In
addition to the wireless inquiry now under way, the FCC under Genachowski has
already plowed into the Google Voice controversy involving Google,Apple and
AT&T, asking all sides to explain their positions. The agency is also
exploring exclusive handset deals and is working on a national broadband plan
that could lead to new regulations, including additional network neutrality
rules.

"My job is to always be concerned about additional regulation regardless
of who's in office," Largent told reporters here Sept. 1 at the trade
association's Dupont Circle
headquarters. "Regardless of who the president is, regardless of who's in
Congress, regardless of who's at the FCC, my job is to keep an eye out for
harmful regulation of the wireless industry."

Largent said the election of Barack Obama and his subsequent appointment of
Genachowski didn't set off any particular alarms for his members. "We knew
they'd be looking into everybody's business."